SuitabookThe things Owen wrote
Jessica Scott Kerrin
- Reading
- Read alongside a conversation about what makes an apology or repair meaningful. Pause when the notebook or granddad’s behaviour becomes central, and leave room for uncertainty about what Owen should do.
- Themes
- Mistakes and family expectations: Owen has usually succeeded easily, then makes a major mistake and fears disappointing his family, despite knowing they support him. The situation creates room to consider whether support can remain present when someone has done something they regret; the eventual judgement is unclear.
- Privacy, writing and honesty: Owen tries to recover a notebook accidentally sent to an Iceland archive because he does not want anyone to read what he wrote. The notebook makes privacy and disclosure central questions, but the book’s eventual position on concealment or honesty cannot be established.
- Care and changing behaviour: Owen travels with his granddad, who is honouring a friend, but Owen notices that his granddad seems confused and forgetful. Their shared journey may invite discussion about care and uncertainty, without establishing why the granddad behaves this way or how the relationship changes.
- Worth knowing
- Pay attention to how the story handles Owen’s secrecy and his granddad’s confusion. The emotional weight may come from uncertainty about trust, privacy and why Owen wants to conceal what he wrote.